Journal of Adolescent Research RSS feed -- OnlineFirst Articles

Nature and Nurture by Definition Means Both: A Response to Males

DeLisi, M., Wright, J. P., Vaughn, M. G., Beaver, K. M. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:27:27 PST

Recognition of the interplay between nature and nurture is decades old in fields such as psychiatry, but other fields in the social sciences continue to be hampered by the idea that social and biological variables compete for explanatory relevance. In a recent study of the adolescent brain and risk taking, Males critiqued biologically oriented approaches as "biodeterminist" compared to environmentally friendly approaches. Here the authors suggest that the use of biological and social variables, or nature and nurture, is not only uncontroversial but also essential for understanding psychopathology, externalizing, and antisocial behaviors. Moreover, biosocial scientific inquiry has led to progressive state policy in the case of Roper v. Simmons, precisely the opposite outcome that critics of biologically friendly research often claim.

Homeless, Street-Involved Emerging Adults: Attitudes Toward Substance Use

Thompson, S. J., Barczyk, A. N., Gomez, R., Dreyer, L., Popham, A. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:27:26 PST

Research has indicated that a high proportion of homeless emerging adults use substances. This article aims to understand the attitudes of these young adults concerning their substance use and its effect on their lives. A mixed methods study using semistructured interviews and self-report instruments was conducted with 87 emerging adults who received homeless services from a community drop-in center. Qualitative analyses found that participants reported positive attitudes of substance use; however, many recognized the benefits of a life without drugs or alcohol. Findings suggest attitudes toward substance use and the role of substance use in the lives of homeless emerging adults are viewed as a valuable means of coping with street life, connecting with peers, and managing physical and mental health symptoms.

It's "Mean," But What Does It Mean to Adolescents? Relational Aggression Described by Victims, Aggressors, and Their Peers

Pronk, R. E., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:27:26 PST

Early adolescent girls and boys (N = 33) with known histories of relational aggression and/or victimization gave detailed accounts of the nature,frequency, intensity, course, and impact of relational aggression among their peers.They also described reasons for, and forms of, aggression after being prompted by a series of hypothetical vignettes. Despite identifying many forms of aggression that were similar for girls and boys, some sex differences were found; girls were described as experiencing more victimization within close friendships than boys, with a focus on maintaining exclusivity. Boys described exclusion from larger groups with themes of masculinity, athletic skill, and/or perceived sexual identity. Girls’ and boys’ perceptions about the motivations for these different forms of relational aggression were quite similar. These included power, popularity, and wanting to fit in as well as the aggressors’ emotional states and the victims’ characteristics.

Neuromaturation and Adolescent Risk Taking: Why Development Is Not Determinism

Johnson, S. B., Sudhinaraset, M., Blum, R. Wm. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:35:48 PST

In the January issue of this journal, Males argues that adolescent brain science perpetuates the "myth of adolescent risk taking." He contends that those who study adolescent neuromaturation are biological determinists who ignore the profound social and environmental forces that influence adolescent behavior to further their own agendas. Males mischaracterizes developmental research and misinterprets public health data. This article analyzes his argument and provides a response based on the evidence. There is significant cross-species evidence that adolescence serves an important developmental function on the road to full maturation and is not merely an oppressive social construction. Research on neuromaturation can help elucidate both the vulnerabilities and tremendous potential of the adolescent brain. It also provides the opportunity to examine the role of social environments in shaping developmental processes and to explore how reasoned understandings of adolescent brain and biological development are being used to inform interventions that scaffold adolescent vulnerabilities.

Self-Presentation and Interaction in Blogs of Adolescents and Young Emerging Adults

Mazur, E., Kozarian, L. — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:35:48 PST

This article analyzed 124 blogs, chronological, journal-type entries published on public hosting Web sites, as new and popular places for adolescents and emerging adults aged 15 to 19 to play openly with their self-presentation, an important aspect of identity exploration. Findings indicate that most young persons write emotionally toned entries; focus on their daily activities, friends, and romantic relationships; and describe themselves, but less frequently their experiences, positively. Bloggers often alter content and appearance of their Web pages, most commonly with photographs of themselves. Number of friends ranges widely, and most blog entries receive no or one comment, most of which are supportive. The article also describes and discusses gender and age differences and concludes that blogs written by adolescents and young emerging adults are less about direct interaction with others than about careful self-presentation.

Connecting Youth to High-Resource Adults: Lessons From Effective Youth Programs

Sullivan, P. J., Larson, R. W. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:26:52 PST

Adolescents benefit from contact with high-resource community adults, but intergenerational obstacles make these interactions difficult, fragile, and rare. This qualitative research investigated the success of seven, primarily urban, leadership, and arts programs that attempted to facilitate these interactions within their programming. Program advisors and 71 ethnically diverse program youth (mean age = 16.5) were interviewed biweekly over 3 to 4 months. Analyses indicated that programs were effective in facilitating these interactions through organizing activities that entailed structured, meaningful youth-adult role relationships. Substantial brokering efforts appeared to be required of advisors. Although these contacts involved one-time interactions or, at best, longer-term superficial relationships, youth described obtaining valuable information, skills, and access to adult worlds. The findings illuminate the challenges, limits, and benefits of attempts to bridge youth and adult worlds.

Renewal and Risk: The Dual Experience of Young Motherhood and Aging Out of the Child Welfare System

Pryce, J. M., Samuels, G. M. — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:45:19 PDT

This interpretive study examines how childhood history and the personal experience of being mothered impact the meaning attributed to motherhood among young mothers aging out of the child welfare system. Through the use of an interpretive approach, findings are derived from interviews with 15 females who reported an experience of pregnancy or parenting at the time of the interview. In the midst of the strain and challenge of motherhood, these young women report that motherhood has the potential to provide opportunities relevant to their own identity as well as to healing from their pasts. Findings aim to inform ways of understanding and responding to the unique and dual experience of mothering and aging out of the child welfare system.